Page 162 of The Sea Witch's Son

“Erik Prince will be taking over Anton’s position effective immediately. I have no doubt you will all give him a warm welcome.”

I watch the missing piece of the puzzle take the Dragon’s hand and give it a kiss.

“A pleasure doing business with you, Maleficent.” Erik grins, casting a glance over the crowd, “I look forward to implementing some new changes around here.”

He catches my eye and throws me a wink. I can only stare, feeling my mind rewind to every interaction I've had with my little saint.

“Did you know about this?” My mother hisses in my ear, her nails digging into my forearm, “That was supposed to be your position.”

I do not comment on her sudden support of my ambition. Nor do I comment on the unfathomable ache blooming in my chest.

“I had no idea.”

Melody’s stepfather starts working the crowd, his easy smile and quiet confidence drawing in the villains like a moth to a flame. He knows all the right things to say, all the right ways to ensnare his newfound audience.

He knows exactly how to fool them into believing what they want to believe.

Well played, little saint. Well played.

Chapter 60

MELODY

To sacrifice is to survive.

That is what I reminded myself when I befriended the mayor’s daughter on the first day of school. The bright orange hair was an easy identifier, and once Marlin put her out of commission, I had no problem finding a reason to visit her house on the regular.

Which made planting the drugs in Anton’s office all the easier.

I did feel bad. Guilty, even, knowing my new friend would wake up without a father one day. But sacrifices had to be made, and if it meant surviving this godforsaken town, then I was all too ready to make them.

But not everything went according to the plan.

I can feel his presence the moment I enter my bedroom. The weight of his stare when I peel off my clothes and pull onmy pyjamas. The sound of his breathing when I walk past the hidden nook beside my dresser.

“I was here the first day you moved to Wolf Hollow.”

His voice is cold and empty, and something much stronger than guilt pinches my chest.

“I watched you unpack your boxes, hang up your clothes and organize your makeup. I watched you pull off your shirt and put on a new one. I even watched you grab a pair of scissors when you thought someone was watching.”

I turn and face my stalker, the white-haired giant who was never supposed to take up this much of my headspace.

Marlin steps out of his hiding spot, his eyes achingly dark as they flick over my face.

“I thought it was curious that a girl with such a fighting spirit would turn and run on her first day of school. If she was so willing to fight a monster, why would a magician be any different?”

I don’t say anything, I just stare at his face. Memorizing every angle in case this is the last time I see it.

“Unless, of course, she did it on purpose. Play the part of the bait so someone else would find her that day.” A bitter smile hits his face, “You knew exactly who I was, didn’t you?”

Silence falls between us until all I can hear is the stuttering beat of my heart.

“I knew you had a thing for fear.” Swallowing thickly, I force myself to meet his stare, “I didn’t know what you looked like.”

“So, you threw yourself beneath a flowerbed, hoping such a strong reaction would draw me out of the shadows.” He lets out a dry laugh, “That’s why you assumed Finley was me.”

“Marlin-

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